Reflections on wellbeing

A Chinese Medicine Perspective

Written by Nicole Bayes, Shiatsu Practitioner. Edited By Dinah John, Principal of Norwich Shiatsu College. ​For many of us these days, the fast-paced world where we live and operate has normalised a high level of stress and anxiety. We may not even realise that anxiety has become our constant companion, even in some cases the driver of our decisions and of our lives. Often it isn't until we experience deep relaxation - and a return to greater internal rest or balance - that we realise just how 'wired' we have been emotionally, mentally and physically.​There is a state of excessive stress which is standard for many now, and the conditions of our society help to facilitate this, with ‘time poverty’ and high levels of expectation. This may be in the workplace, at home with our family and even socially with friends, creating consuming and pressured stresses and complexities to navigate or overcome. Chronic stress, as is well documented by the medical profession, is not good for our health or happiness. However it is often only when our anxiety levels reach an unmanageable level, or hit a breaking point, that we are moved to do something about it.